Bombay High Court Restrains Release of Sonakshi Sinha’s ‘Tu Hai Meri Kiran’ Until Rs 8.85 Crore Security Deposit
King Stubb and Kasiva (KSK)has secured a significant order from the Bombay High Court on behalf of its client, AND Movie Productions LLP (“Petitioner”), in a dispute with co-producer Echelon Productions and its Partners (“Respondents”) concerning the Hindi language cinematograph film “Tu Hai Meri Kiran” starring Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal, which is scheduled for theatrical release on 23rd October 2026.
Passing the order on 19th October 2026 in Commercial Arbitration Petition (L) No. 34544 of 2026, filed under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the His Lordship the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Amit Borkar substantially allowed the petition. The Court has directed Echelon Productions to deposit INR 8.85 Crores in Court, together with interest at 15% per annum calculated from the respective dates on which the Petitioner paid its investment, within 3 (three) working days as security for the Petitioner’s claim. Until the deposit is made, the Respondents stand restrained from releasing or commercially exploiting the film through theatrical, satellite, digital, OTT, music or any other mode. Once the deposit is made, the theatrical release may proceed, subject to compliance with the Court’s remaining directions and the Co-Production Agreement.
The Court held that the Petitioner had made out a strong prima facie case for securing the amount in dispute. Reading the Co-Production Agreement as a whole, it rejected the contention that repayment could arise only after the film earned revenue, and held that the obligation to return the investment had fallen due on 27th April 2025, under Clause 5.3 of the Agreement. The Court also found that the Respondents had not established that the cheque for INR 7.50 Crores issued on 1st January 2026, which was dishonoured, had been issued merely as security.
Significantly, the Court ruled that the Petitioner’s participation in Instagram promotions for the film did not amount to a waiver of the overdue repayment obligation, nor did it constitute consent to third-party exploitation agreements being signed without the Petitioner being made a confirming party. The Court also clarified that the Respondents cannot treat that participation as a general permission to disregard the agreed producer credits.
In addition to securing the deposit, the Court directed the Respondents to disclose on affidavit within 5 (five) working days, all executed and proposed agreements, offers, term sheets and production agreements relating to the film and all amounts received or receivable under each arrangement. The Court also directed that the Respondents shall not enter into any agreements for exploitation of the film without making the Petitioner a confirming party and obtaining its prior consent. Additionally, the Court also directed the Respondents to deposit all revenues generated from exploitation of the film into a separate designated account with regular statements to the Petitioner, and no amount should be diverted or withdrawn in any manner contrary to the terms of the Co-Production Agreement. Lastly, the Court also directed the Respondents to withdraw any and all publicity materials that does not carry the agreed producer credits to the Petitioner, within 48 hours. The Respondents’ request for a stay of the order was also rejected by the Court.
The Court has made clear that its findings are prima facie and for the purpose of interim relief only, and that questions of final liability, accounts, interest and the parties’ rights in the film are left open for determination in arbitration.
The KSK Team
KSK team advising on the matter comprised:
- Mr. Arpit Choudhary, Partner
- Mr. Krunal Mehta, Associate Partner
- Ms. Karen Koya, Associate
